Robbie Fowler wants FA Cup Final revenge on
David James for being made to look ridiculous in Liverpool's
notorious white suits. The Anfield legend, 33, hopes to be fit for
Saturday's Wembley date with Portsmouth.
It will bring back memories of Liverpool's 1-0 defeat
to Manchester United in the 1996 final when the Reds strolled out
posing in Armani cream suits - helping them earn their 'Spice Boys'
tag. Fowler insists Pompey keeper James, 37, must take the rap for
the embarrassing fashion own goal which none of Liverpool's former
stars have been able to live down.
I've still got the white suit, I may wear it for our
Christmas fancy-dress bash next year," smiled Fowler, who joined
Cardiff on a free last summer. "People still remind me about the
white suits all the time. It's one of those things - if we had won
the game nobody would have mentioned it but we lost and it has
become infamous.
"It was David James' fault we wore white suits, it was
his idea. He's bigger than everyone so nobody questioned him and at
the time he was an Armani model. "I was only a young player then
and I didn't get much say - and I haven't picked the Cardiff suits
either.
"I think James knew somebody who could get us suits but
I haven't spoken to him ahead of this year's final. "Before both
teams got in the final, I spoke to him all the time as he has done
fantastic this year but I'll wait until after the game to get in
touch. "I know he's got a fair bit of stick over the years but I've
always rated him. He did make a few mistakes but everyone's made
mistakes and in my eyes, even when he wasn't playing for England,
he was still the best keeper in the country."
Fowler lost that 1996 final but lifted the Cup in 2001
when he came off the bench as Liverpool scored twice in the last
seven minutes to beat Arsenal 2-1. The striker, likely to be a
substitute on Saturday, is determined to grasp what he admits is an
unlikely chance for more silverware.
"I thought my days of playing in major finals were
gone," he admitted. "When you leave the Premier League and come to
a Championship side, an FA Cup winners' medal is far, far from your
mind.
"Nobody's given us a hope from the start but we're in
the final on merit. "We haven't been lucky in any way, we have
played well in every round, so we deserve to be in the final."
Fowler hasn't played since December following a hip operation. But
the veteran, with six goals in 16 starts, is hoping to win another
year on his contract.
Don't fancy yours much" - Man Utd's Ryan Giggs eyes
Liverpool's infamous all-white effort, modelled by Ian
Rush.
